Biographical Dictionary of the History of Technology

by Lance Day (Editor), Ian McNeil (Editor)

Overview

This Biographical Dictionary seeks to put the world of technology in the context of those who have made the most important contribution to it.
For the first time information has been gathered on the people who have made the most significant advances in technology. From ancient times to the present day, the major inventors, discoverers and entrepreneurs from around the world are profiled, and their contribution to society explained and assessed.

Structure
The Dictionary presents descriptive and analytical biographies of its subjects in alphabetical order for ease of reference. Each entry provides detailed information on the individual's life, work and relevance to their particular field.
* in the first part of the entry, the information will include the dates and places of the subject's birth and death, together with their nationality and their field of activity
* in the main body of the entry there follows an account of their principal achievements and their significance in the history of technology, along with full details of appointments and honours
* finally an annotated bibliography will direct the reader to the subject's principal writings and publications and to the most important secondary works which the reader can consult for further information.

Special Features:

* The first work in existence to examine technologists in detail
* Contains over 1,500 entries giving detailed information
* Extensive cross-references enable the reader to compare subjects and build up a picture of technological advance^ * Figures drawn from fields such as Aeronautics, Telecommunications, Architecture, Photography and Textiles

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134650194
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/11/2002
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	864
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Lance Day, Ian McNeil

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 A; Chapter 2 B; Chapter 3 C; Chapter 4 D; Chapter 5 E; Chapter 6 F; Chapter 7 G; Chapter 8 H; Chapter 9 I; Chapter 10 J; Chapter 11 K; Chapter 12 L; Chapter 13 M; Chapter 14 N; Chapter 15 O; Chapter 16 P; Chapter 17 Q; Chapter 18 R; Chapter 19 S; Chapter 20 T; Chapter 21 U; Chapter 22 V; Chapter 23 W; Chapter 24 X; Chapter 25 Y; Chapter 26 Z;

Editorial Reviews

In 1990 Routledge published "An Encyclopedia of the History of Technology", edited by Ian McNeil. Two of the 22 chapters in that volume were contributed by Lance Day. Now McNeil and Day are coeditors of a biographical dictionary sketching the work of nearly 1,300 persons of all cultures and all times whom they judge to have made "a significant contribution . . . to the advance of technology." Technology is defined as such areas as aeronautics, broadcasting, electronics, medical technology, railways, and weapons. Ampere, Boeing, Goodyear, Lever, McAdam, Pasteur, and Westinghouse are some of the familiar names covered. Among the few living subjects are Steven P. Jobs and Stephen G. Wozniak The preface discusses the decisions made with respect to the selection of names, including acknowledging that the name index of the above-mentioned encyclopedia was a starting point for this selection. "Biographical Dictionary" was compiled with a conscious effort to avoid duplicating dictionaries of scientists such as the multivolume "Dictionary of Scientific Biography". The preface further states that most of the biographees are "male, white, European (including North American)." Fewer than one-fourth of the engineers and inventors with biographies in "The African American Almanac" (6th ed., Gale, 1994) are in this work, and fewer than a dozen women are included The signed entries follow a standard sequence: dates and places of birth and death, the subject's nationality and a brief statement of his or her principal achievements, a biography of 250500 words, honors and distinctions, a bibliography of the individual's publications, and selected references to literature where further information can be found. Names printed in boldface type in the text indicate cross-references. There are numerous "see" and "see also" references as well. The dictionary concludes with three indexes: by subject, name, and broad topic The "Biographical Dictionary of the History of Technology" will provide academic and public libraries with much useful information.

Zom Zoms

Profiles important contributors to technology from ancient to modern times, rather than people involved in the fairly recent discipline of the history of technology. The 1,200 alphabetical entries present vital dates and places, a brief identifying phrase, one to several paragraphs describing the life and career, a list of honors and distinctions, and a bibliography. Indexed by subject area, such as aeronautics, land transport, and weapons, as well as by name and subject. Mildly cross-referenced. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

‘Authoritative entries on more than 1200 individuals who have made significant technical contributions to our modern world make up the Biographical Dictionary of the History of Technology ... It should be in all libraries, or give it to someone you really like.' - New Scientist

‘The Biographical Dictionary will provide academic and public libraries with much useful information.' - Reference Books Bulletin

‘An outstanding piece of work. Any technical reference collection will require this volume, but general reference collections will benefit from holding it, especially in the biographical section. This work is unlikely to be bettered in the foreseeable future.' - Library Review

‘There is much to commend in the book ... the contributors give clear, straightforward insights into the nature and significance of the technological contributions that the entrants made. Hence the book forms a convenient source on technological history in general and will appeal to a varied readership. It is also easy to use, not only because of its alphabetical format, but because it provides indexes by subject area, topics and name' - Business History

From the Publisher